Erase MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 7
2000-08-02 - Number tvdl7sb
2012-07-13 - Number 13
2014-09-26 - Number 9
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Remove target enchantment from the game.
Perception is more pleasing than truth.
Cards like Erase
Erase stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering enchantment removal options. It bears comparison to other cards like Disenchant, which also serves to dismantle enchantments. However, Erase distinguishes itself by exclusively targeting enchantments that are white, doing so at an advantage of being uncounterable. Unlike Disenchant, it cannot affect artifacts and does not carry the versatility of hitting any color of enchantment, but in a white-heavy meta, Erase can be the silver bullet.
Another parallel can be drawn with Fragmentize, a low-cost removal that can deal with both artifacts and enchantments with a converted mana cost of 4 or less. While Fragmentize is less restricted in target selection compared to Erase, it does not offer the same surgical precision against high-cost white enchantments. Then there’s Return to Dust, offering both flexibility and a double-whammy effect by exiling up to two target artifacts and/or enchantments. However, Erase leaps ahead in mana efficiency, being a single white mana investment. This can make a significant difference in tight gameplay scenarios.
Considering factors like mana cost, specificity, and the ability to bypass counters, Erase can go unnoticed in broader removal discussions but, within its niche, remains a tactical choice for MTG players wielding white decks against enchantment-focused opponents.
Cards similar to Erase by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Erase gives players the ability to remove an enchantment from the game, which can dismantle an opponent’s strategy and provide a significant shift in the control of the board. This shift often translates into a form of card advantage, as it can negate the value invested by your opponent into their enchantment-based plays.
Resource Acceleration: While Erase itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of providing additional mana or cards, it efficiently utilizes mana by costing only a single white mana to cast. This efficiency allows players to potentially play other spells in the same turn, effectively accelerating their board development and deployment of resources.
Instant Speed: The utility of Erase is greatly enhanced by its instant speed, allowing players to disrupt opponents during their turn or in response to an activation of an enchantment’s ability. This timely disruption can stifle an opponent’s tactics at critical moments, preserving your strategy or saving precious life points, thereby delivering a significant tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Erase card demands you to let go of another card from your hand, which can be quite the setback when your options are already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Tied to a particular type of mana, this can be restrictive and possibly incompatible with a broader range of deck styles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a greater mana investment than other similar cards, it can be less efficient, particularly when you need to maintain momentum against your opponent.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Erase fits into a variety of deck archetypes as a simple yet effective answer to troublesome enchantments. Whether you’re running a control deck that needs to keep the board clear or an aggressive build that can’t afford to get locked down by enchantment-based strategies, Erase provides an efficient solution.
Combo Potential: In intricately crafted decks, Erase works well with snapshot graveyard mechanics or in conjunction with effects that capitalize on the removal of enchantment cards. A well-placed Erase can be the linchpin to outmaneuvering combo decks that rely on enchantment synergies to win.
Meta-Relevance: With enchantments frequently seeing play across various formats, having a card like Erase in your collection means you’re prepared to face a range of meta decks. Its low mana cost and unrestrictiveness make it a universally relevant sideboard option or even a main deck choice against enchantment-heavy opponents.
How to beat
Overcoming the challenge presented by the Erase card in your Magic: The Gathering matches calls for strategic planning and foresight. As a potent spell known for its ability to exile enchantments, Erase can be a thorn in your side, especially if you rely heavily on those types of cards. To effectively mitigate its impact, consider diversifying your deck with a variety of threats. This means not putting all your eggs in one basket with enchantment-based strategies.
Additionally, you can include cards in your deck that can counteract spells, providing a safeguard against Erase. Look for instants that can be played in response to Erase, effectively nullifying its power and protecting your valuable enchantments. Be cognizant of your opponent’s untapped lands and potential mana available, as these are telltale signs that an Erase could be on the horizon.
Lastly, take advantage of the fact that Erase is conditional, only targeting enchantments. If enchantments are a minor part of your deck, Erase’s effectiveness is naturally diminished. By employing a diverse strategy and maintaining awareness of your opponent’s resources, you can navigate around the hurdles posed by Erase and continue to command the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Erase MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and World Championship Decks 2000, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Erase and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Erase Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2014-09-26. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 7 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 2 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | tvdl7sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spears | |
| 3 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 13 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Richard Wright | |
| 4 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 9 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Erase has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Erase card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The card does not go to the graveyard first. |